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Hello Friend,
After several tastes of spring weather, it appears the positive temperatures are here to stay! Similarly, our hearts are warm with the encouragement of your support these past months, and the hope of great things ahead. Our partnership with you is vital towards our ‘being there’ for local child victims and caregivers. |
Celebrating Your Support |
Over the winter, we saw you give generously to help local kids and their families. We were overwhelmed to exceed both our fundraising and engagement goals for our Holiday Campaign at year-end and 26th Annual Pancake Lunch in February. |
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We were also supported by many other wonderful individuals and organizations in recent months. This includes proceeds from the 17th Annual Elvis Birthday Show and a large donation from the Optimist Club of Stanley Park. All support equates to children moving from their current trauma, towards bright futures.
Much Gratitude this National Volunteer Week (April 14 to 20) Our agency would not be the same without our tremendous crew of volunteers. This includes those who serve on our board, assist with administrative tasks, help with property maintenance, support our events, and more. Through every single act of kindness, you are making life better for us all. Thank you! |
What’s Happening |
Youth Symposium is This Week! We are excited to welcome over 4,000 grade 8 students and teachers to our Youth Symposium, after being cancelled since 2019! This program brings together some of the best speakers in the country, covering a range of topics that will have a long-lasting, positive impact on youth in our community. We are grateful for our 2024 sponsors (found on brochure back cover) for making this year’s edition possible for so many local youth! |
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| NEW! 1,000 Challenge We are seeking champions, teams, and sponsors to help reduce our waitlist! This new peer-to-peer fundraiser, running in conjunction with our Child Victims Can't Wait campaign, will challenge individuals and teams to complete an activity of their choice for 1,000 units (i.e.: hrs, kms, pages, etc.). |
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It’s easy to get started and will be a lot of fun! 1,000 Challenge sponsors will receive great benefits. Contact Kate at kate.debaets@childwitness.com. |
Enhancing our Impact |
| Indigenous Trauma-Informed Training We underwent two days of powerful training by the Sixties Scoop Network in March, made possible by a grant we received from the Department of Justice to better serve our Indigenous clients. Our team and individuals from several partner organizations benefitted from the wonderful facilitation of Colleen and Elaine, who are Sixties Scoop survivors. |
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We grew our knowledge on Indigenous history in Canada, intergenerational trauma, physiology of trauma, and how to better foster healing. Special thanks to KW Habilitation for the use of their space for the training. We feel inspired and more equipped to help encourage positive change in our community. |
Partnership with the Family Violence Project We are proud to have become an official member of the Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region! This is a wonderful collaboration focused on helping those affected by family violence in our community. |
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At Child Witness Centre, we owe much of our success at effectively helping kids and families to strong partnerships, and this one will be no exception! |
Coming Soon |
Open House at Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Waterloo Region You will not want to miss this rare opportunity to enter the inner doors of the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC). At this upcoming open house, you will be able to check out our space, where we serve alongside our partners: Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, and more. |
At the CYAC, our front-line support professionals meet with children and youth, and their caregivers, during investigations of abuse and crime. By coming to this open house, you will also see the freshly painted rooms and hallways, for which we thank Dennis Koebel and Nelu Banda, who donated their time and talent! A clean and welcoming environment goes a long way, as we shed light and provide comfort in difficult circumstances. |
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Stay tuned! The Open House date will be announced soon! |
Great Things Ahead with You We are excited to partner with you in the weeks and months to come! Here are some ways you can join in our mission and make a difference. Invite us to speak! We would like to present to your club, team, religious organization, or company about how we’re helping local young survivors. Plan a fundraising event! It could be a charity golf tournament, car wash, bake sale, or something else! Contact ryan.dufton@childwitness.com. Watch for Spring Appeal! This annual campaign will launch in May. Your support is essential to help more child victims on their difficult journeys. Follow us on social media! Click the links at bottom to stay current.
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Take care & we’ll be in touch soon! |
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